Words / C2

dyoo-PLIS-uh-tee/djuːˈplɪsəti/

Duplicity is deceitful double-dealing: an act of duplicity, guilty of duplicity. Hypocrisy is pretending virtue; duplicity is the two-faced dealing itself. Duplicate is a copy — related root, different word. Honesty and good faith are opposites.

Meaning

Deceitful double-dealing; saying one thing and secretly doing another.

Examples

• “The contract was a piece of duplicity.”
• “Voters punished the duplicity of the leaked deal.”
• “She accused the agent of duplicity, not mere error.”

Good to know

duplicity (uncountable, formal). Mix-up: duplicate (a copy). Close: deceit.

Near in meaning

deceit

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